Love at First Listen: Dominique Pruitt

If there ever was a sign that the universe wants Dominique Pruitt to be a singer, it’s the constantly up-ticking YouTube view counter for her new video. In its first week of release, “To Win Your Love” has racked up more than 155,000 views — a mind-blowing number for a young unsigned artist — especially one whose sound is far removed from current crazes like dubstep and teen pop.

The moment the video started, I could see what the buzz was about. By the time the first hand-clap fueled chorus rolled in, I was head over heels in musical bliss. Pruitt’s style, smile and modern/retro sound immediately recall several generations of pop crushes. She’s Rosie the Riveter, a USO showgirl, a young Wanda Jackson, Kirsty MacColl, Pinky (Roz Kelly) and Leather (Suzi Quatro) Tuscadero, MTV-era Tracey Ullman and Cry-Baby-era Traci Lords all rolled into one. When the video was done, I had the sudden desire to bust out my tattered Rachel Sweet 45’s and play them all night.

The video is simple, delirious fun — a 1950’s vacation movie shot on HD. Pruitt mugs for the camera and frolics around a beachside carnival. Bright vivid colors pop from the screen as she shows off her best vintage fashion scores from Silverlake thrift stores.

“To Win Your Love” is the perfect remedy for “Call Me Maybe” earworm fatigue; how did it come to be?

This is the first song I finished from my first real album. It came out so good I wanted to get it out immediately, so I just put it on Soundcloud, iTunes and Amazon. My friend told me I should make a video for it, so we shot one over a weekend by just going to places I like. I put it on YouTube and it just went crazy. I’m kind of freaking out. I can’t wait to get more songs done so people can hear more, but I don’t want to rush the record.

That’s quite the list. Before we wrap up, are you sure you haven’t left anyone out? Bieber? Tone Loc?

I am currently very inspired by Lady Gaga. Not only do I think she is a great singer, and a fun performer to watch, but I really admire how hard she works in every aspect. Music, charity, equality, etc. She lets her freak flag fly and I LOVE that.

“To Win Your Love” is available on iTunes, and for a limited time, it’s on sale for only $0.89 atAmazon MP3.

Proving that she’s no one-hit wonder, Pruitt provided Popdose with an exclusive new track; a stellar song that will hopefully make her upcoming EP or album:

I personally can’t wait to see what’s next, whether she goes it alone or signs with an adventurous label. If any A&R folks for the likes of Third Man, Yep Roc, Bloodshot, Saddle Creek or Rounder are in LA this weekend, I highly suggest they beeline for that Hotel Cafe show — or just watch those YouTube numbers climb high into the sky.

After he asked for Kiss "Destroyer" and received "Radio Shack Presents: All Ears - CB Radio Novelty Hits" for Christmas, Keith Creighton went on to amass a girlfriend repelling record collection. He passionately kept record stores in Cleveland, Tampa, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle in business over the years. A marketing writer by day for Sudden Monkey, also writes music reviews on Amazon under the name Falsetto Prophet. He is happily married because his CDs and crates of 80's nostalgia live at an undisclosed location.